January 2017 blog 1 — First Week of Getting Settled

Arriving in Lisbon last Saturday, New Year’s Eve morning, was exciting to say the least. Although after an overnight flight of neither of us sleeping, it was time for a nap so that we would be fresh to ring in the New Year at midnight Lisboa style. 

We stayed in a great little top floor airbnb in Bairro Alto, and enjoyed a dinner in a small hole in the wall Portuguese styled restaurant and rang in 2017 with the provided sparklers in hand. 

After New Years it was time to check out of our airbnb and head to Tomar for a slightly more permanent accommodation. We came across Camping Redondo during our first visit to Portugal back in August. In a small village called Poço Redondo just outside of the town Tomar sits a Campismo with a perfect Bella Vista Chalet that we’ll call home during our property hunt. Hugo and Harvey are settling in well which has entailed making friends with the ponies out back, as well as the 2 doggies who live here — Sabado (meaning Saturday) and Sabrinha. Living in the countryside is an adjustment for all of us, but we’re enjoying it to say the least.

First on the agenda was to buy a car. We wound up with a sleek looking 1993 Mercedes. Next on the agenda is getting through viewing some 12 properties up in the Serra de Estrela area of Portugal. Stay tuned.